In these exceptional times, and continuing our series Exploring Justice Through Beauty, we have called on artists to submit work to this art show: Just, Diverse, United – The Destiny of America
“Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees… Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Prayer for America
The Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, related the following statement to the Bahá’ís of the United States, regarding the current state of race relations in the nation:
“We ardently pray that the American people will grasp the possibilities of this moment to create a consequential reform of the social order that will free it from the pernicious effects of racial prejudice and will hasten the attainment of a just, diverse, and united society that can increasingly manifest the oneness of the human family.”
— 22 July 2020, The Universal House of Justice
The role of the arts is essential in giving hope and connecting our minds and hearts to a vision of the oneness of humanity and freedom from racial prejudice. We have called upon artists to create art that illuminates these visions of justice, diversity, and unity hoped for in our American society.
“For the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world’s peace. Then racial prejudice, national prejudice, limited patriotism and religious bias will pass away and remain no longer.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Washington DC, 1912
Green Acre has been engaged in efforts to advance our collective understanding of current social justice issues affecting our society through the arts. We had a tremendous response from our previous show, Pupil of the Eye, and as a continuum of this exploration, this art show will carry forward the conversation on race relations and how we can discover the new possibilities of this moment.
